Broadband Connect Not Supported By Verizon

**chris.then** · 04-28-2010, 12:33 AM

I went to upgrade from blackberry to incredible and the website would not allow me to add the Broadband Connect feature installed on the phone. I called customer service and the rep confirmed that this feature IS NOT available. This is a total let down. Bad enough it doesn't support a wifi hot spot but this is a deal breaker for me as I live in the boonies and RevA data is my portal to the internet (sucks, I know, but better than satellite). Guess I'll be keeping my Berry. Maybe something good will come from the last day of WES for a better blackberry.

Odd thing is the only review I read that tested this feature was phonescoop and they complained about the speed, so I'm apprehensive about taking the plunge but now It looks like the feature is not even available as advertised. I wonder how phonsescoop was able to use the broadband connect. Maybe verizon pulled the feature because it is crap??

Anyone know when and if this feature will come online with Verizon?

**sectachrome** · 04-28-2010, 12:42 AM

According to the Verizon site, it should.

Mobile Broadband Connect capable

**chris.then** · 04-28-2010, 12:44 AM

Again, I called and the Verizon rep said they DO NOT SUPPORT MOBILE BROADBAND CONNECT FOR THE INCREDIBLE. That is the point of this post.

**chris.then** · 04-28-2010, 12:48 AM

Has anyone successfully used the Mobile Broadband Connect Feature yet? Or have they been able to have it added to their service plan? I know that websites and customer services reps are often wrong.

**HardcorePooka** · 04-28-2010, 12:49 AM

If I were you I'd go in to a store and check. The phone reps don't always know everything... I've had some that I could have sworn didn't even know what phones verizon had...

**j_rambo77** · 04-28-2010, 12:52 AM

Their website says that it is capable of doing that. Maybe you talked with someone who is not that well informed. Maybe another call is in order? Just a thought.

**chris.then** · 04-28-2010, 12:52 AM

Good idea, I probably have a better chance in the store but could end up being a bigger waste of time dealing with those guys. Verizon should just be ready to deploy a feature if they are advertising it. Go ahead and try to add the feature on their website. As of 10pm pacific time it is not offered and the ***** phone rep fooled with her technical support team for 20 minutes and came back to me saying "we've got a problem". I wonder if that problem is false advertising or that I won't be getting that feature on the incredible.

I'd really like to hear back from someone who has successfully added this feature to their phone, and better yet tested it before I go back to Verizon's sales and tech support. ANYBODY??

**j_rambo77** · 04-28-2010, 12:57 AM

Originally Posted by chris.then

Good idea, I probably have a better chance in the store but could end up being a bigger waste of time dealing with those guys. Verizon should just be ready to deploy a feature if they are advertising it. Go ahead and try to add the feature on their website. As of 10pm pacific time it is not offered and the ***** phone rep fooled with her technical support team for 20 minutes and came back to me saying "we've got a problem". I wonder if that problem is false advertising or that I won't be getting that feature on the incredible.

It is entirely possible that their site is incorrect. Maybe a visit to the store and a manager could clear things up. Hope you hear good news. Good luck!

**chris.then** · 04-28-2010, 12:57 AM

It is best to be clear.

**DJBigBenVA** · 04-28-2010, 02:52 AM

u can use PDAnet to use it as a wireless modem. that is how I do it with my Droid

**DJBigBenVA** · 04-28-2010, 02:53 AM

and u wont be charged a fee from Big Red

**chris.then** · 04-28-2010, 09:55 AM

Djbig- how much data you use with pdanet? I use close to 5gb per month. you positive verizon won't catch on?

I'm now thinking that if the phone doesn't ship with VZaccess manager then it is prob a sign the phone isn't ready to support mobile bb connect.

Has anyone received VZaccess manager in the box?

**chris.then** · 04-28-2010, 10:05 AM

Here is another verizon customer with the exact same experience trying to pre-order going from web to CS to Tech Support to Web support:

It is a pity that all the reviewers seemed to have missed this wtih all the hype.

**Fyrhtu** · 04-28-2010, 01:59 PM

Why bother with broadband connect? Just grab proxoid or PDANet and go to town. (Yes, you're technically breaking TOS, so be sure to uninstall them if you do any warranty work.)

**Mark_Venture** · 04-28-2010, 02:11 PM

When I activated my Incredible yesterday (via the my account web page), it did have the option to ADD broadband connect feature for $25 per month.

**John-Paul** · 04-28-2010, 08:31 PM

Saw another thread (didn't read it) saying that the Incredible couldn't be activated until tomorrow. So it is possible that the little computer sitting infront of the phone rep says that the Incredible can't have broadbrand. Tomorrow, they will switch from false to true and she will say the opposite.

**iamtone** · 04-28-2010, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by j_rambo77

It is entirely possible that their site is incorrect. Maybe a visit to the store and a manager could clear things up. Hope you hear good news. Good luck!

chances official website is incorrect over a call center employee

hmmmm...

ill take official website for $500 please

**xaronax** · 04-28-2010, 08:57 PM

Its really moot. I can't believe anyone would pay that kind of money for a feature you can get for a 1 time small fee. PDAnet and Tether (soon) work great, and you can just tell them you watch a lot of youtube and listen to a lot of slacker/pandora if they whine about it. Just don't torrent crap, lol.

**TBolt** · 04-28-2010, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by chris.then

Has anyone received VZaccess manager in the box?

VZAccess Manager is downloaded. It doesn't come in a box.

(notice that HTC "Incredible" is listed on that web site).

I was told, by a VZW rep, that the phone does in fact support it.

Based on comments by others, though, I'm going to give PDAnet a try before downloading the version of VZ Access Manager that goes with HTC phones.

P.S.: CAPS IS CONSIDERED TO BE QUITE RUDE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

**Cory Streater** · 04-28-2010, 09:24 PM

There's even an option to turn it on: Settings > Wireless & Networks > Mobile Broadband Connect. I agree with the above comments about PDANet. I don't know why anyone would pay $25 a month for BBC when they can pay a one time fee for PDANet.

P.S. - sectachrome was merely pointing out the conflicting information on Verizon's website. There's no need to shout back at him with the caps lock key. The feedback we've heard over and over again in this forum is that people like to come here because everyone is friendly, helpful & respectful. I intend on keeping it that way.

**extremegadgetguy** · 04-28-2010, 09:35 PM

In the pre-launch PDF, it clearly states that broadband connect is supported. I was also given the option to purchase the service for $25 per month when pre-ordering Incredible. I opted to not select it as the price is ridiculous.

I will be searching for a hack. Get my Incredible tomorrow, so we will see.

**chris.then** · 04-28-2010, 11:11 PM

Guess this all goes with a pre release device, sorry for the lack of patience (and use of all caps). Seeing that incredible is listed on supported devices for VZAccess is the best proof it'll work that i've seen yet. I ordered the phone and I'll find out tomorrow how things workout. I'll post the result.

Funny thing is the last rep I talked to on the phone and a rep that responded to this question via e-mail both encouraged me to use PDAnet. I bluntly asked her if it was stealing service and a violation of the terms of use and she said it's fine and is covered by the standard $29.99 phone data plan.

Only rational I could gather from her rambling is that android is an open platform and that the clause in the contract prohibiting tethering only applies to closed platform devices.. Not sure how this makes sense or if she knows what she is talking about but I want to believe her & I've read other posts of reps recommending PDAnet. I use the 5gigs/month regularly so I'm not sure if I should take the chance.

I have an e-mail in to customer service asking if using PDAnet would be a violation of the terms. If I get a clear response in writing maybe I'll go straight for PDAnet instead of vzaccess & save some money.

**lawdawg#ac** · 04-29-2010, 04:11 AM

While i really hope PDAnet continues to be a viable solution for tethering without having to pay the ridiculous extra charge for Mobile Broadband on Verizon, if it gets mainstream I can't imagine Verizon not doing something about it. Maybe they just realize that the people using PDAnet, for the most part, would not jump to MBA if PDAnet was blocked given the high price of the latter. I'm guessing that they just aren't that concerned that mainstream users will use PDAnet, especially when MBA is an easy-to-find included option right on the Droid Incredible.

However, I think they overestimate people's willingness to pay so much for 3G tethering. If I were Verizon, I would drop the rate on MBA to $15 unlimited, maybe $10 for 250MB. Until they go 4G, they're grossly overvaluing 3G tethering. It's great for surfing, checking e-mail, but do they honestly think people are going to constantly stream video, etc. over a 3G connection? If MBA works more cleanly, simply than PDAnet, I would consider paying $15/month when I needed it. But not $30 when PDAnet is a one-time fee product that apparently works pretty well.

**jokerls240** · 04-29-2010, 07:05 AM

Being a "just-released" device, I think VZW needs time to update their systems. This is coming from someone that uses their business web portal to order/manage phones every day. I never know when I'll be able to add a feature or plan to a phone each day because of the numerous bugs in VZW's system.

Just yesterday, I was activating 2 new VZW BB's. The first one activated fine, but the second kept failing. When I tried to look up the number in the portal, it couldn't be found. I called Verizon, punched the assigned phone number in, and was prompted by the automated system as if I wasn't a Verizon customer. When I finally got a rep on the line, it took about 10 minutes before they asked for the account number, then transferred me to business support. Another 20 minutes later, I had the phone activated.

To make my point short, just give them time to add the Broadband Connect feature to their internal systems. Plus, I second the comment that most of the customer service reps don't know what's available. I started out in tech support for Dell, and most of the time Dell would change a policy and tell us about it a week or so after the fact.

EDIT: Sorry for stepping on any toes. I posted this from the first page and didn't see the other responses.

**chris.then** · 04-29-2010, 11:02 PM

Got the incredible. Haven't activated MBBconnect yet, currently using PDAnet and it's working fine.

Interesting thing verizon customer service e-mailed me back today apologizing for giving me wrong information, that is to use PDAnet, they told me to download VZAccess and gave me the price breakdown. They remain silent on the use of PDAnet.

My entrance into android has been very smooth so far (first hour) & it looks like my days in the crackberry nation are officially over, Ahh what memories...

Very encouraging to know the Android community is so helpful - huge thanks!